1
Horace Danby was a meticulous planner who specialized in robbing safes. However, his careful planning ultimately led to his downfall. Explain this statement with reference to the story "A Question of Trust." 3marks
2
The story "A Question of Trust" presents a complex character in Horace Danby. Discuss whether he can be considered a typical criminal or if there are aspects that set him apart. 5marks
3
Analyse the statement: "It is said that you must set a thief to catch a thief. But it is also said that there is honour among thieves." Which saying does the story "A Question of Trust" ultimately illustrate and why? 5marks
4
The lady in red plays a pivotal role in the story. Describe her actions and how they directly lead to Horace Danby's capture. 3marks
5
Horace Danby collected rare books. Explain his motivation for stealing each year and how his passion for books ironically contributed to his undoing. 5marks
6
The young lady in red, who is also a thief, uses her intelligence and quick thinking to deceive Horace. Elaborate on the specific tactics she employs to gain his trust and manipulate him. 5marks
7
Horace Danby was careful about leaving fingerprints. However, he was arrested because of them. Explain how this happened, despite his usual precautions. 3marks
8
Horace Danby believed in a certain code of conduct for thieves, stating, "I steal only from those who have a lot of money." Do you agree with his justification for his actions? Provide reasons for your answer. 5marks
9
The housekeeper at Shotover Grange is mentioned briefly. What is her role in the narrative, and how does her absence contribute to the events that unfold? 2marks
10
The story ends with Horace Danby in prison, reflecting on his encounter. What are his final thoughts about the young lady and the concept of "honour among thieves"? 3marks
11
Case Study: Horace Danby studied Shotover Grange for two weeks before the robbery. He noted the rooms, electric wiring, paths, and garden. He also observed that the two servants had gone to the movies. He put on gloves before entering.a. What does this meticulous study reveal about Horace Danby's character? [1 mark]b. Why did Horace wear gloves during his robbery? [1 mark]c. What was Horace's ultimate goal in committing this robbery? [1 mark]d. How did his careful observation of the servants' movements aid him? [1 mark]e. Despite his planning, Horace was caught. What does this suggest about the limitations of his methods? 1mark
12
Compare and contrast the characters of Horace Danby and the lady in red, focusing on their motivations, methods, and ultimate fates. 5marks
13
The magazine article played a crucial role in providing Horace with information about Shotover Grange. Discuss the significance of this article in the plot. 3marks
14
Horace Danby felt that he was not a man who threatened society. Do you agree with his self-assessment? Justify your answer. 5marks
15
The voice of the young lady initially sounds "quiet, kindly" but later becomes "sharp." Analyse this shift in tone and what it signifies. 3marks
16
Horace Danby's decision to help the young lady open the safe, despite his intention to rob it, can be seen as a critical error in judgment. Explain why. 3marks
17
The story questions the notion of "honour among thieves." Discuss how the events in "A Question of Trust" challenge this idea. 5marks
18
What does the interaction between Horace and Sherry, the dog, reveal about Horace's personality? 2marks
19
How does the narrative effectively build suspense throughout the story, particularly during Horace's time inside Shotover Grange? 3marks
20
"Anyone would think I’d been away for a month!" the lady exclaims upon returning. How does this seemingly innocent remark contribute to her deception of Horace? 2marks
Answers
1
Horace Danby meticulously planned his robberies, studying houses and planning his moves to avoid detection. However, his planning was based on a flawed understanding of human nature and trust. He assumed the lady of the house would be easily frightened or manipulated, but she, being a fellow thief, exploited his assumptions and his desire to please her, leading to his capture.
2
Horace Danby can be seen as different from a typical criminal due to his refined interests (rare books) and his seemingly polite demeanour. He doesn't resort to violence and plans his crimes carefully to avoid them. However, his actions are still illegal, and his justification that he steals only from the rich doesn't absolve him. He is a thief who operates with a certain code, but ultimately, he is still a criminal.
3
The story primarily illustrates the saying, "You must set a thief to catch a thief." The lady in red, a skilled thief herself, expertly deceives Horace. While there might be a perceived "honour" in that thieves might not betray each other, this story shows that self-interest and cleverness can override any such code. The lady's actions demonstrate that even among thieves, deception for personal gain is common.
4
The lady in red, upon encountering Horace, pretends to be the owner of the house. She gains his trust by appearing amused rather than frightened. She then manipulates him by claiming she needs her jewels for a party but has forgotten the safe combination. She convinces Horace that he can help her, thus leading him to open the safe for her and implicitly making him responsible for the "robbery" when the owner returns.
5
Horace Danby’s passion for rare and expensive books was the driving force behind his annual robberies. He stole just enough each year to fund his secret purchases. This passion, however, made him susceptible to the lady's manipulation. His eagerness to acquire books and his belief that he could "make money to buy them" blinded him to the lady's true intentions and led him to make mistakes, like removing his gloves.
6
The lady in red cleverly uses several tactics. Firstly, she feigns amusement rather than fear, making Horace believe he can reason with her. Secondly, she plays the role of the helpless, respectable lady of the house who has forgotten the safe combination, appealing to Horace's perhaps chivalrous side. Finally, she positions herself as someone who "likes the wrong kind of people," subtly making Horace feel a kinship with her, which further lowers his guard.
7
Horace's usual precaution was to wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. However, when the lady in red asked him to open the safe for her, he was eager to please her and impress her with his skills. In his haste and perhaps his desire to demonstrate his expertise without hindrance, he took off his gloves. This oversight allowed his fingerprints to be all over the room, leading to his arrest.
8
While Horace justifies his actions by stating he only steals from the wealthy, this doesn't make his actions excusable. Stealing, regardless of the victim's wealth, is a crime that violates trust and property rights. His intention to use the money for books, while a personal desire, does not legitimize his criminal behavior. His belief that his ends justify the means is a flawed ethical stance.
9
The housekeeper is mentioned as being worried about Horace's health and as having hung the key to the kitchen door on a hook. Her absence from the house is crucial as it creates the opportunity for Horace to enter. Her presence might have alerted the family or the police, thus preventing the robbery and the subsequent events.
10
Horace's final thoughts are filled with regret and anger. He reflects on the "charming, clever young lady" who was in "the same profession" as him and tricked him. He gets very angry when anyone mentions "honour among thieves" because his experience with the lady shattered any belief he might have had in such a code. He has learned a harsh lesson about trusting others, especially those in his own line of work.11.a. This meticulous study reveals Horace Danby to be a highly organized, patient, and systematic criminal. He treats his robberies as a business venture requiring thorough research and planning.b. Horace wore gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints at the crime scene, a standard precaution for burglars to prevent identification and apprehension.c. Horace's ultimate goal was to steal the jewels from the safe at Shotover Grange to obtain money, which he intended to use for purchasing rare books that were coming up for sale in the autumn.d. His observation that the servants had left the house allowed him to enter undetected and work without immediate fear of being discovered by them.e. His being caught despite his careful planning suggests that even the most detailed preparations can be undermined by unforeseen circumstances, human interaction, and his own personal weaknesses or misjudgments.
12
Horace Danby is motivated by a passion for rare books, which he sees as a legitimate pursuit justifying his illegal means. He is meticulous in his planning but somewhat naive in his trust. The lady in red is motivated by greed and a desire for the jewels. She is quick-witted, manipulative, and ultimately deceitful. Horace's fate is prison, while the lady escapes with the jewels and without consequence.
13
The magazine article is significant because it provided Horace with detailed information about Shotover Grange, including a plan of the rooms and a specific mention that a painting hid a safe. This information was crucial for Horace to plan his entry and locate the safe, making the robbery feasible for him.
14
Horace's self-assessment is debatable. While he claims not to threaten society and to steal only from the wealthy, his actions still disrupt social order and cause distress to the owners of the property he robs. He causes fear and financial loss. Therefore, he does not entirely avoid being a threat to society, even if his intentions are not overtly malicious.
15
The initial "quiet, kindly" voice suggests the lady is attempting to appear harmless and approachable, lulling Horace into a false sense of security. The later "sharp" tone indicates her true nature emerging when she firmly states her refusal to let him go, revealing her decisiveness and perhaps her own criminal instincts, and her resolve to protect herself and the property.
16
Horace's decision to help the young lady was a critical error because it stemmed from his eagerness to impress her and perhaps a misguided sense of chivalry or trust, rather than a rational assessment of the situation. By removing his gloves and opening the safe, he not only compromised his own safety but also placed himself in a position where his actions could be easily attributed to him, leading directly to his arrest.
17
The story challenges the idea of "honour among thieves" by showing that self-interest and clever deception can easily override any such supposed code. The lady in red, a fellow thief, betrays Horace not out of malice but out of shrewd calculation to benefit herself. Her actions demonstrate that in the world of crime, trust is a luxury, and betrayal for personal gain is a common reality, negating any notion of inherent honour.
18
The interaction with Sherry reveals that Horace Danby is capable of kindness and empathy. His ability to calm the dog by calling it by its name and showing it affection suggests a softer side to his personality, contrasting with his criminal profession. It shows he is not a brute and perhaps harbours a desire for connection that his lifestyle denies him.
19
The narrative builds suspense by detailing Horace's careful preparations, his entry into the house, and his progression towards the safe. The ticking clock (the servants' return), the unexpected presence of the lady, and the subsequent dialogue all heighten the tension. The reader is kept on edge, wondering if Horace will succeed or be caught, and then if the lady will help or hinder him.
20
The lady's exclamation, "Anyone would think I’d been away for a month!" is a subtle piece of acting. It helps her establish the persona of the lady of the house returning home, someone who would naturally be concerned with the state of her home and its belongings. This seemingly innocent remark reinforces her fabricated identity and makes her appear more convincing to Horace, further aiding her deception.
